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5 min read 5 stepsApril 20, 2026Verified April 2026

How to Use Sortly to Create a Home Inventory

Build a complete home inventory with photos and values using Sortly — perfect for insurance claims or organizing before a move.

At a Glance

Download and create a free account

~27s

Search for "Sortly" in the App Store or Google Play Store and install the free app. Open it and tap "Sign Up" to create an account with your email address and a password. You can also visit sortly.com on a computer and sign up there. The free plan allows up to 100 items, which is a good starting point for most homes.

Quick Tip

Use an email address you check regularly — Sortly will send you a confirmation link to activate your account.

Set up folders for each room

~27s

After logging in, tap the "+" button to create your first folder. Name it after a room in your home, such as "Living Room" or "Kitchen." Repeat this for each room where you have valuables. Having items organized by room makes it much easier to find things later and helps with insurance claims because adjusters often ask about items by location.

Quick Tip

You can also create folders for categories like "Jewelry," "Electronics," or "Tools" if that organization makes more sense for your home.

Add items with photos and details

~35s

Open a room folder and tap "+" to add an item. Give it a name, then tap the camera icon to take a photo — or upload one from your camera roll. Fill in the "Value" field with an estimated replacement cost, not what you originally paid. If the item has a serial number (common on TVs, laptops, and appliances), add it in the notes field. Serial numbers are essential when filing a police report after a theft.

Warning

Estimated replacement value means what it would cost to buy the same item new today — not the purchase price from years ago. Check current prices online if you are unsure.

Export and save your inventory report

~32s

Once you have entered your most important items, tap the menu icon and look for "Reports" or "Export." Sortly can generate a PDF or spreadsheet listing everything you own along with photos and values. Email this report to yourself and consider saving a copy to a cloud service like Google Drive or iCloud. Keep a copy somewhere other than your home so you can access it if your home is damaged.

Quick Tip

Share a copy with your insurance agent — some agents can attach it directly to your policy file, which speeds up any future claims a lot.

Keep your inventory current

~26s

Whenever you buy a new appliance, piece of furniture, or electronic device, open Sortly and add it right away while the receipt and details are fresh. This takes only a minute or two. Set a reminder on your phone every six months to do a quick walk-through and make sure nothing major has been missed or needs an updated photo.

Quick Tip

Take photos of receipts and attach them to the item in Sortly — this is excellent documentation for high-value purchases.

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A home inventory is one of the most important things you can have — and most people never make one until they need it after a fire, flood, or break-in. Sortly is a free app that makes building that inventory straightforward, even if you are not very comfortable with technology.

Sortly lets you photograph your belongings, record how much they are worth, add serial numbers, and organize everything by room. If you ever need to file an insurance claim, having this information ready can save you hours and help you get a fair payout. It is also extremely helpful if you are planning a move and want to keep track of what you own and what needs to go where.

The free version of Sortly supports up to 100 items, which is enough to cover the most important possessions in your home. You can download the app on an iPhone or Android phone, or use it in any web browser on your computer.

Getting started takes about 15 minutes for a basic setup. The most effective approach is to go room by room, photograph each item, and fill in the details while everything is in front of you. You do not need to document every single spoon — focus on electronics, appliances, furniture, jewelry, tools, and anything else that would be expensive to replace.

Once your inventory is set up, Sortly can generate a report that lists all your items and their estimated values. You can email that report to yourself and share a copy with your insurance agent. Storing a copy in a cloud service like Google Drive or iCloud means you can access it even if your phone or computer is damaged.

Updating your inventory when you buy something new takes only a minute or two, and the habit is well worth building. Sortly is available on iOS, Android, and at sortly.com.

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Official Resources

AARP Life Changes Senior Planet GCFGlobal — Digital Skills

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